Captain Courtney Bruce said she was overcome with emotion when she realised West Coast Fever would host the Super Netball grand final in the dying stages of their 63-57 major semifinal win over the Greater Western Sydney Giants on Saturday.

Fever will shoot for a maiden title when they host either the Giants or Sunshine Coast Lightning at Perth Arena on August 26.

West Coast sat on top of the table all season before a three-goal loss to the Giants in Sydney last weekend dropped them to second.

But they were far too good second time around on Saturday, prevailing despite superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler being forced off with a knee injury for a quarter.

Fowler still managed 48 goals without a miss, while Nat Medhurst again proved her worth to claim MVP honours with nine goals and 27 assists.

Kaylia Stanton (six goals and one assist) played an important role in Fowler’s absence.

Verity Charles had her left knee heavily strapped, but appeared unimpeded by the injury sustained a week earlier, playing out the entire match at centre.

Bruce was a rock in defence, with six intercepts and four rebounds, while Stacey Francis was able to keep countrywoman Jo Harten (33 goals) quieter. Susan Pettitt managed 24 goals.

Fever won only two games last season and had played in only one final prior to this season.

“I looked up at the clock with a minute to go and I was crying then,” Bruce said. “I said to Ingrid (Colyer) before the game, we’ve been on this journey together since we were 15.

“She was one of the first people I looked at and I just started bawling my eyes out.